Electric vehicles may be the future of transport, but local governments are laying the groundwork – one charger at a time.
Across the country, councils are shifting their fleets, upgrading infrastructure, and making electric vehicle (EV) charging more accessible for residents and visitors.
Helping many of them get there is Chargefox, the Australian EV platform quietly powering the largest charging network in the country.
“We typically see councils start small – maybe a couple of chargers at a depot or community site,” said Ed Asuncion, Executive General Manager at Chargefox.
“Then they grow, with public infrastructure, fleet conversions and better data systems. We support them from first steps through to full rollout.”
Different drivers, one platform
Council motivations are as varied as their communities. Some want to reduce emissions by electrifying their light vehicle fleets. Others aim to support residents without off-street parking. Some see EV infrastructure as a way to boost visitation and local economic activity.
Chargefox’s role is to help councils implement solutions that suit their priorities – whether managing chargers at a works depot, or activating public charging in high-traffic town centres.
“Some councils start by trialling AC [alternating current] chargers with free sessions. Others, if they’ve secured grant funding, jump straight into DC [direct current] fast charging,” Asuncion said.
“It’s often a mix of fleet needs, community demand, and funding available.”
Whatever the entry point, Chargefox brings a full offering: support with site planning, installer partnerships, smart software for usage and billing, and integration with driver apps like Google Maps.
How it works
The service is highly dynamic. Unlike traditional energy providers or infrastructure builders, Chargefox does not own any charging hardware.
Instead, it acts as a platform that connects charger owners – like councils – with EV drivers, offering a suite of services that ensures reliability, security and visibility.
“I often use Airbnb as an analogy,” said Asuncion.
“They don’t own the houses, but they provide the connection, the tools and the trust. That’s what we do for EV charging.”
That includes customer billing, secure access management, live availability data, and real-time performance monitoring.
The platform now supports more than 280,000 registered users and has handled over five million charging sessions across Australia.
“We work with organisations all over the country to create Australia’s biggest charging network. From shopping centres, supermarkets and retail precincts, to service stations, sporting grounds, tourist destinations, and even breweries and wineries,” Asuncion said.
“There are over 5000 EV charging plugs currently on Chargefox, about half of which are available to everyone via the app. The other half are private chargers used by fleet and commercial vehicles.
“It’s all about making sure chargers are used and drivers can find them. For councils, the benefit is greater utilisation and a better return on their investment.”
Tailored for local needs
One of Chargefox’s key strengths is adaptability. Councils can configure their chargers to be public, private, or a mix of both.
They can choose to set pricing or offer charging free-of-charge. They can also integrate charging into broader fleet management systems.
“Every council is different,” said Asuncion.
“A tourist-heavy metro council might focus on short-stay public chargers in high-traffic locations. A regional council might prioritise depots and overnight charging for a large fleet. We work with both.”
In some cases, Chargefox helps councils implement hybrid models – such as fleet-only access during business hours and public access after hours. That flexibility can maximise value without compromising operational needs.
Technology that moves with the market
With EV hardware, vehicle types, and user expectations evolving quickly, Chargefox has built its service around staying ahead of the curve.
“Innovation and agility are part of our DNA,” said Asuncion.
“Our team is made up of EV drivers and tech specialists who understand the sector from the inside. That gives us the ability to anticipate change and trial new solutions in real time.
“We’re also part of the Australian Motoring Services Group and fully owned by the motoring clubs of Australia, including NRMA and RACV, so we have a really strong foundation and heritage.”
The company has implemented an integrated support process with hardware partners to reduce downtime and boost performance. It is also investing in system upgrades to support smart load management as more councils add vehicles and chargers to constrained local grids.
Councils are critical
While EVs are often framed as a national or state-level issue, Asuncion said local government has a unique role to play.
“Councils are on the frontline,” he said.
“They manage the land, the streets, the fleets, and the relationship with the community. They’re the ones who can deliver the infrastructure where it’s needed most.”
Whatever the stage they are at in their transition, Asuncion said councils have a growing sense of momentum.
“Whether a council has five vehicles or five thousand, we help them unlock the benefits – cost savings, cleaner air, more resilient communities,” he said.
“The EV future isn’t just coming. Councils are already building it.”
